Chapter 57
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Kyle unveiled her presence to the assembled group. “Everyone, here’s the awaited addition to our ranks—Carolina Diaz.”
She managed a concise welcome. “Good to meet you all. Carolina Diaz speaking.”
Unready for a polished debut, she kept remarks minimal, receiving kind responses in return.
Lucy sparked cheer by applauding with vigor, warming the mood instantly.
“You’ve met Lucy already,” Kyle continued, pointing sequentially. “Beth follows, then Nathan, Sophia, and Derek.”
Exchanges concluded swiftly after Kyle named each colleague, prompting his next suggestion toward her.
“Forgive jumping into tasks upon settling in—care to support the team briefly at first?”
“Absolutely, guide me generously.”
Starting small held no letdowns, as grand roles seldom launched instantly.
Modest origins paved paths to triumphs.
Kyle beamed her direction, then rallied the others.
“Secured a standout prospect—anticipate excellence ahead.”
Talents defined her, though inflated hype unnerved her. Shrouding capabilities aligned with her aims.
Oblivious to her private qualms, Kyle pressed on.
Telepathic prowess marked him as a mind specialist, she mused pointlessly with irritation.
Blue Hawks culture evidently embraced commendations for arrivals, fueling his elaboration.
“Every kingdom-period tax amendment resides in her mind. Extraordinary feat, no?”
Retention came naturally to her, yet broadcasting it risked her discreet image lately.
Whence came Kyle’s awareness?
Stunned by his revelation of her secret, she voiced his informal moniker over proper Count Seymour or Kyle-rus.
Unfazed, Kyle proceeded smoothly.
“Incredible—nobody I’ve known mastered the complete collection.”
“Why not ingest a vast compendium instead? Far tidier.”
“Bet academy law mentors fell short too.”
Colleagues’ whispers redirected scrutiny effectively.
Effortless absorption marked her academy routine, with endless reviews etching details deep.
Exceptional retention set her apart.
Kyle forestalled her planned demurral, addressing the puzzle outright.
“Reviewed her hiring appraisal.”
Pre-reawakened recollections, youthful candor blinded her to restraint’s merits. Reference volume untouched, she’d delivered verbatim; examiner’s wonder—"All from memory?"—drew her frank nod.
Records had passed along routinely.
Surer origin than imagined.
“Introductions wrap here. Ms. Diaz, step aside with me?”
Chat shifted gears as Kyle drew her apart, stalling her self-effacing opportunity.
His quarters abutted Inspection Unit 5’s domain; he gestured her to settle.
Opposite him, mind adrift, Kyle mirrored her unspoken intrigue, sliding over steeped leaves.
“Minor matter only.”
Gestures danced through empty air, birthing a void-pocket yielding a satchel.
Magic Tower refinements empowered routine mages with such feats, yet Kyle’s display enthralled freshly.
Eagerness lit her gaze; he froze pouch in hand, amusement flickering.
“Expect a feathered surprise emerging.”
Avian tricks evaded reality.
“Merely safeguarded relics inside.”
Pouch treasures gleamed jewel-like.
Neatly displayed for inspection, Kyle clarified utility.
“Duties harbor dangers—we furnish safeguards proactively. Select a preferred?”
Casual phrasing belied the luster dancing beneath arcane illumination.
Prime stones gleamed within.
Escalating jewel quality amplified enchantments, mirroring overall potency.
Imperial hoard thefts would ring plausible.
Her delay drew his encouragement.
“Standard issue for all—no burden intended. Sacrifice freely in peril.”
Even tones instilled confidence.
“Reclaim upon exit if undesired.”
Teasing coda eased tensions.
“Permanent tenure absent cause, correct?”
“Precisely. Deployment over recovery suits me—wield freely, Ms. Diaz.”
Flawed craftsmanship tales surfaced in memory, discounting imperfect relics cheaply.
“Destruction truly permissible?”
Reassurances piled before she claimed the barrier-infused cuff per his notes.
Extravagance daunted constant bearing.
Sole utilitarian piece amid lavish finery.
Encircling band of muted azure stone.
Tinged materials bespoke lesser purity, devaluing typically.
Scarcity principles deemed it cheapest presented.
Barrier utility paired seamlessly with inconspicuous daily donning.
“Excellent selection.”
Satisfaction colored Kyle’s nod, affirming prudence.
“Barrier alone adequate?”
Bounty urged supplements, proffering extra.
She departed with a brief-shift pendant too.
One-per norm echoed belatedly.
Post-choice qualms lingered, acceptance sealed regardless.
“Appreciate the thoughtfulness.”
Generosity implied intent, she concluded inwardly, extending courtesy.
“My thanks to you.”
Cryptic counter faded unexamined.
Infusion chilled thoroughly.
Final swallow honored the cooling mint brew pre-departure—neglect courted discourtesy.
Peppermint sharpness.
Novel setting churned her insides amid strain, yet zesty refreshment lightened burdens.
“Count Seymour’s coffee ban persists?” Cafe reminiscence prompted her levity.
Glum expression met her query as he vented.
“Indeed—lax phase allowed sips amid infusion trials for fresh variants, prompting swift revocation.”
Southern import stirred realm’s lounges toward mastery. Potion-weaving mage Kyle chased fusion novelties.
“Advancements yielded?”
Cup drained, chatter trumped stillness.
Animation surged as he detailed trials—artifact chat paled comparably.
Cafe venture served avocation alone?
Radical trials dominated his recount, speckled faintly with transworld echoes.
